A Protest Against Racism and a Protest Against Mass Immigration

A Protest Against Racism and a Protest Against Mass Immigration to the UK (Including Northern Ireland) – How Two Seemingly Opposing Groups Are Fighting for Almost the Same Thing, but with Some Differences.

Northern Ireland, Belfast, 23rd March 2025. Two demonstrations gather in front of City Hall. On the right, a pro-immigration group. On the left the opposition to illegal immigration itself. They protest against those who come solely for benefits and are prioritised by the government. They argue that newcomers are given social housing first (or provided with free hotels), receive priority access to healthcare, and are generally favoured over long-term taxpayers.

The issue they raise is not about immigration per se but about a system that allows individuals to discard their documents, arrive on small boats, and gain access to a comfortable life without contributing to society. I was there, speaking to people, and from my accent, they could easily tell that I wasn’t born in the UK or Ireland. Through conversations, it became clear that if someone comes, accepts local culture, integrates into the community, and contributes through taxes, there is no opposition to their presence. However, there is strong opposition to situations where newcomers are prioritised over lifelong residents who have paid taxes yet find themselves unable to access social housing (which is limited, meaning a home given to a new arrival is one less for a local taxpayer) or are pushed further down the queue for healthcare.

There are also bizarre situations where companies, in an effort to cut costs, do not lay off the least productive employees but rather those who cannot play the “racism card”. The world has turned upside down, and in some workplaces, skin colour and country of origin seem to matter more than skills and competence. Should these factors determine who has more rights? The most commonly heard argument from the left side of City Hall was that if someone moves to a new country, they should not impose their own laws (such as Sharia) or cultural expectations on the local community. It is illogical to flee from a situation only to attempt to recreate it in a new home. This was a key issue raised by those protesting on the left.

On the right, people from Islamic countries who have found a new home in Northern Ireland spoke about their experiences. They have jobs, new lives, and believe in equality for all. They welcome anyone who wants to come to Northern Ireland, whether for work or asylum. Spending time on both sides of the protest and speaking to people, one thought became apparent – they are essentially fighting for the same thing. The difference is that one side believes new arrivals should be allowed to establish their own rules, whatever they may be, and will do everything to support them. The other side simply wants to preserve their own country, their own values, and their own culture, without it being altered by newcomers who have fled their home countries only to attempt to impose the same systems here.

Ultimately, it all comes down to money – government spending on refugees while seemingly neglecting its own citizens. Shouldn’t a country prioritise helping its own people first before extending assistance to others? The UK and Ireland are a considerable distance from the home countries of most illegal immigrants. Why do they choose to come here? If they wish to live in the same culture, why not seek refuge in a country with similar laws and customs?

In the grand scheme of things, rather than organising protests and counter-protests, both sides should sit down at the same table – preferably with a good drink – and simply discuss their expectations. They should establish where racism truly begins and where cultural replacement is happening in a country that already has its own traditions and values.

This entire situation led to British and Irish communities in Northern Ireland—who are usually in conflict with each other—standing side by side, hand in hand, to fight for what is being taken from them step by step. Some on the right side also brought up the war in Gaza, which, in this case, had no real connection to the situation at hand.

I invite you to view the photos.